Zanzibar – Sudan delivered the biggest shock of the CHAN PAMOJA 2024 tournament so far, dismantling Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-0 in Group D and sending the West African giants crashing out with one match still to play.
Two goals from Abdel Raouf Yagoub in the second half sealed a comprehensive victory for Kwesi Appiah’s disciplined Sudanese side, adding to an early own goal from Leonard Ngenge and a first-half penalty by captain Walieldin Khdir. The result not only put Sudan top of the group but also left Nigeria bottom with no points after two matches.
Earlier in the day, defending champions Senegal were held 1-1 by Congo, leaving Group D delicately balanced: Sudan and Senegal lead with four points each, Congo have two, and Nigeria have been mathematically eliminated.
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First Half: VAR Heartbreak and Double Disaster
Nigeria began the contest with urgency, creating early set-piece pressure. Corners in the eighth and ninth minutes tested Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja, while Raymond Tochukwu fired wide from distance.
In the 22nd minute, Anthony Ijoma thought he had given Nigeria the lead after breaking in behind the defence, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside. Just three minutes later, Sudan made the most of the reprieve. Yagoub’s effort hit the post and bounced cruelly off Ngenge into his own net.
Things got worse for the Nigerian defender before the break. In the 43rd minute, a handball inside the box gifted Sudan a penalty. Khdir stepped up and powered the ball into the top-right corner to make it 2-0 at half-time.
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Second Half: Yagoub Takes Centre Stage
Nigeria made three substitutions at the break in search of a comeback, but Sudan tightened their control. Tochukwu’s free kick went over in the 52nd minute, and soon after, Sudan struck again.
In the 55th minute, Musa Hussien’s persistence created space for Yagoub, who slotted a precise finish into the bottom-right corner. Seven minutes later, Sudan’s number 10 struck again, sweeping home from close range to make it 4-0 after a swift counterattack.
From that point, Sudan’s game management was near perfect. Their midfield pressed intelligently, their defence stayed compact, and full-backs Ahmed Tabanja and Mazin Simbo balanced discipline with selective attacking bursts.
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Nigeria’s Struggles Continue
Nigeria had a few late chances, including Steven Manyo’s header in the 84th minute and Tochukwu’s long-range effort that hit the post in stoppage time, but their play lacked composure and accuracy.
The statistics underline the disappointment: two matches, zero goals scored, and five conceded. Their elimination means they will only play for pride in their final match against Congo, while Sudan face Senegal in a top-of-the-table decider.
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Tactical Masterclass from Appiah
Sudan’s performance reflected Appiah’s pre-match plan — disciplined without the ball, sharp in transition, and clinical in the box. Khdir controlled the midfield, Yaser Awad stretched Nigeria’s defence on the right wing, and Yagoub proved the match-winner with his movement and finishing.
As Sudan celebrated a statement win, Nigeria were left to face tough questions about their structure, selection, and execution at tournament level.
On a dramatic night in Zanzibar, the Falcons of Jediane soared high, while the Super Eagles’ CHAN journey came to an abrupt and painful end.
